AUTHOR'S NOTE

If you've read this far, congratulations! You get the behind-the-scenes tour.

The real challenge of this story was worldbuilding. Okayado gave us a glance at lamia society in the manga, which I've tried to expand upon while being faithful to the canon. Pictures of Miia's village were based on Santorini Island, so I ran with that; there are plenty of uninhabited islands in the southern Aegean, and who doesn't enjoy a Mediterranean climate? The diverse lamia tribes suggested parallel evolution on isolated islands, as well. So, welcome to Medusa Island!

Beyond geography, I wanted to explore the challenges facing expats in a foreign country. In this case, very foreign. Adapting to a new culture and language is tough enough; imagine living among a different species. I hope I captured some of the culture shock that such a move would incur.

My last story invoked the spy novels of the Cold War; this time I wanted to try a "cozy mystery" a la Agatha Christie. Although an entire island of femme fatales necessarily pulls us into Raymond Chandler's territory. You'll have to let me know if I maintained the suspense.

Of course, the murder investigation is really just a backdrop for the real mystery, which is how we find our partners, especially later in life. Mark is faced with a cutting young intellect who shares his profession; a beautiful doctor of questionable ethics and sanity; and a slightly dotty old cougar who isn't above risking her life for love (or wringing a bitch's neck, if needed). We get to see his choice; as a younger man I might have chosen differently.

Finally, fans of the europop band Seabound may have raised an eyebrow at this story's title. Yes, the lyrics of "Poisonous Friend" did inspire the story, and I can't hear the song without thinking of Yurilee. I recommend the band.

I'd like to thank Okayado for creating the Monster Musume world. No infringement on his characters or creations is intended. I only hope that I do them justice.

Thanks to my wife for checking my French. Much as Yurilee continues to insist, I don't speak a word of the language.

As always, thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed the tale.

MARK AND YURILEE WILL RETURN

IN

"STRANGE HEAVEN"